Some Effects of Stratification on Rotating Fluids

Ants Leetmaa Dept. of Meteorology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge

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Abstract

A simple example of the steady motion of a rotating, stratified fluid is studied. The solution which is uniformly valid for all values of the stratification, σsδ = vαgDΔT/(κf2L2), is presented. The transitions in the dynamics from the homogeneous limit to strong stratification are illustrated in detail. The motion is driven by a stress. Consequently, Ekman suction is weaker than in cases where the driving force is a moving boundary, and Ekman layers are important until a stratification of O(1) at which point they combine with Lineykin layers to form the thermal equivalent of the Stewartson E½ layer.

Abstract

A simple example of the steady motion of a rotating, stratified fluid is studied. The solution which is uniformly valid for all values of the stratification, σsδ = vαgDΔT/(κf2L2), is presented. The transitions in the dynamics from the homogeneous limit to strong stratification are illustrated in detail. The motion is driven by a stress. Consequently, Ekman suction is weaker than in cases where the driving force is a moving boundary, and Ekman layers are important until a stratification of O(1) at which point they combine with Lineykin layers to form the thermal equivalent of the Stewartson E½ layer.

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